Reimagining Connection: Insights from the regional Hearth Summit in Kuala Lumpur

There is a wonderful story behind this photo and if we chat I will share it. This was one of my highlights of the conference and it wasn’t supposed to happen!

I arrived at the Hearth Summit in Malaysia a little unsure. I had a feeling that I was at something special but I was nervous because I didn’t really know what was happening.

Shifting my mindset in the moment...

I don’t think the hosts had a smooth journey making this event happen. Turning up to a venue, in another country, going to a reception desk and no-one having a clue about the event I was attending is a little unsettling. 

But I was in Kuala Lumpur in December. The sun was shining, I was warm. It was held in a stunning venue and there was a cafe- phew. This has always been my go-to place when I'm unsure where to start.

What began as confusion turned into something unexpected. I spent the first two hours of the summit sitting with three of the speakers, sharing a slice of chocolate cake and conversations that felt more like catching up with old friends than a formal conference meet-up. 

When I mentioned SHOOP®, I was surprised how easily the conversation flowed. These were people working differently, thinking differently.

Reimagining connection...

Most of my notes from the summit itself were about connection - not in some grand, abstract way, but in the most human sense possible. Locally-led, globally-connected, universally human. 

My conversations with young people from social enterprises in Kuala Lumpur were also particularly memorable on this first day. They were genuinely excited about creating positive change, about finding new ways of learning and collaborating and their faces beamed as they shared their projects with me - apps to get to know how to live in the city sustainably, growing plants to eat, saving turtles and happiness projects. 

Throughout the summit, a simple truth kept emerging: meaningful connection isn't about perfect planning or slick presentations. It's about being optimistic, open and present.  

Sometimes that means letting go of your expectations and seeing what unfolds.

The Hearth Summit reminded me that social change is human. It's messy, unpredictable, and often starts with a chance conversation over cake.

Is there anything that helps you join a conversation?

This is the first in a series of posts about my experience at the Hearth Summit, Malaysia. The next is Wisdom of the Elders: Lessons in Harmony and Coexistence and the last is The Future is Collaborative: Youth, Innovation, and Meaningful Connection.